Common Sense

By: Thomas Paine

Narrated by: Edward Miller

Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

"Common Sense" was published anonymously on January 10, 1776, at the beginning of the American Revolution, and became an immediate sensation.

Written in clear and persuasive prose, Thomas Paine marshaled moral and political arguments to encourage common people in the Colonies to fight for egalitarian government. "Common Sense" made public a persuasive and impassioned case for independence, which before the pamphlet had not yet been given serious intellectual consideration. He connected independence with common dissenting Protestant beliefs as a means to present a distinctly American political identity, structuring "Common Sense" as if it were a sermon.

Historian Gordon S. Wood described "Common Sense" as "the most incendiary and popular pamphlet of the entire revolutionary era".

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Thought-provoking

I read this essay in school many years ago; I have read several books recently that have referred the Pane’s “Common Sense”. So, I thought I would re-read and refresh my memory about the book.

“Common Sense” was published in 1776 and challenged the authority of the British government and monarchy. It was written in plain language for the common person to easily read. It was the first published works to openly ask for independence from Great Britain. Pane says that government’s sole purpose is to protect life, liberty and property and should be judged on the extent it accomplished this goal. Pane states that all men are born equal and tyranny cannot be tolerated.

This is a book that everyone should read and then re-read periodically. Edward Miller does a good job narrating the book.